Ticks are among the most resilient and persistent pests found in nature. Known for spreading dangerous diseases like Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and ehrlichiosis, ticks are a major concern for both people and pets, especially during the warmer months. But many people wonder: can ticks drown? If you find one crawling on you or your pet, is dropping it in water a reliable way to kill it?
The short answer is: yes, ticks can drown—but not easily or quickly. These tiny parasites are surprisingly tough and can survive in water much longer than most people realize.
How Long Can Ticks Survive Underwater?
Ticks are not aquatic animals, but they are well-equipped to survive a wide variety of harsh environmental conditions—including submersion in water. Research and anecdotal evidence show that some tick species can survive being submerged in water for hours, even days.
Here are some general survival estimates:
- Up to 72 hours in fresh water (depending on species and life stage)
- Several hours in soapy or chlorinated water (though this shortens their survival time)
- Longer survival times if they are in a dormant or unengorged state
Ticks breathe through small openings called spiracles on the sides of their bodies. They can close these spiracles to conserve oxygen and enter a state of suspended animation. This ability is part of what makes them so difficult to drown. Essentially, ticks can “hold their breath” for a very long time.
Will a Bath or Shower Remove or Kill Ticks?
Many people assume that taking a shower or bath after spending time outdoors will effectively get rid of ticks. While this can help dislodge unattached ticks, it’s not a reliable way to kill or remove them if they’ve already latched onto your skin.
If a tick has embedded itself in your skin, water alone won’t cause it to detach or drown. Manual removal using fine-tipped tweezers is the only way to safely and effectively remove an attached tick. Simply rinsing it off won’t be enough.
For pets, the same rule applies. If a tick is embedded in your dog’s or cat’s skin, bathing won’t drown it. You need to physically remove it with tweezers or a tick removal tool.
Can You Drown Ticks in the Toilet?
One common method people use to dispose of ticks is flushing them down the toilet. While this might work eventually, ticks can survive a flush and potentially crawl back up if not fully submerged for long enough. Their ability to resist drowning makes flushing a less-than-ideal solution unless you’re certain the tick stays submerged long enough to die.
Instead, if you want to kill a tick you’ve removed:
- Place it in rubbing alcohol: This kills ticks quickly and effectively.
- Seal it in a bag or container: Tape it shut or place it in a plastic bag and dispose of it.
- Burn it or crush it: Use caution, especially to avoid spreading any pathogens the tick may carry.
Does Soapy Water Work?
Ticks have a waxy outer layer that repels water, which is part of why they survive so long submerged. However, adding dish soap to water breaks down this waxy coating, making it more difficult for the tick to stay afloat and potentially allowing the water to interfere with its respiration. A bowl of soapy water can eventually kill a tick—especially if left for an extended period—but it’s not instantaneous.
This is why flea and tick shampoos for pets often rely on surfactants like soap to weaken the tick’s defenses and allow chemical ingredients to be more effective.
Swimming Pools and Ticks
Don’t count on a swimming pool to kill ticks either. Chlorinated water in pools may slow ticks down, but it doesn’t instantly kill them. Ticks can survive long swims—sometimes even several hours in a chlorinated environment—so they’re not a solution for pest control.
That said, ticks don’t generally live in the water or jump in pools, so your main concern with pools should be checking for ticks before and after outdoor activities, not worrying about them getting in the pool.
Best Ways to Kill a Tick
To summarize, here are the most effective ways to kill a tick:
- Submerge it in rubbing alcohol or bleach
- Use a sealed Ziploc bag or piece of tape to trap and suffocate it
- Burn it safely (using a match or lighter)
- Crush it with a hard object (be careful not to come in contact with tick fluids)
Drowning in plain water should never be your go-to method.
Final Thoughts
Ticks are built to survive extreme conditions, including being underwater. While it is technically possible for ticks to drown, it can take hours or even days for them to die in water. If you find a tick, don’t rely on water to get rid of it. If you need tick control in Newtown, we recommend reaching out to Tick & Turf.
And remember: prevention is key. Wear long sleeves and pants when hiking, use insect repellent with DEET or permethrin, and perform regular tick checks. When it comes to tick control, knowledge—and quick action—can go a long way.
